Professor of political science at the Open University of Israel, Denis Charbit analyzes the latest positions taken by Benyamin Netanyahu in the war in Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister promised earlier this week to intensify the offensive, announcing a war “ long “. In the American press this Tuesday, the Israeli leader sets out his conditions for peace: the destruction of Hamas, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the “deradicalization” of the Palestinians who live there.
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RFI: Monday, December 25, in the Knesset, Benyamin Netanyahu was heckled by relatives of the 129 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. The following day, the word “hostage” did not appear in the column he signed in the columns of the Wall Street Journal. What does that mean ?
Denis Charbit: That for him it remains secondary. It is reason of state that speaks, sacrificing – and I think he is aware of this – the moral contract which associates every Israeli family with the State. That’s to say : “We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the State of Israel, provided that the State of Israel does everything to save lives.” For him, it is the national interest that takes precedence. He explains that intensifying fighting pushes Hamas to negotiate. This was verified for the first time [avec la trêve et l’échange de fin novembre ayant permis la libération de 105 otages kidnappés par le Hamas contre 240 prisonniers palestiniens détenus en Israël] but this does not appear to be true now.
A total of 156 Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat since the ground offensive began in late October. Can these losses weigh on Israeli opinion?
The balance sheet of Israeli losses will be judged according to the achievement of the announced end. There is a consensus in Israel on the end: the eradication of Hamas. After October 7, the Israelis said “ we have to go “. If this is achieved, then all means will be considered a posteriori as justified and justifiable. Both civilian losses on the Palestinian side and military losses on the Israeli side. If, on the other hand, this military and political objective is not achieved, it is clear that there will be deep dismay: “ have not our children died in vain? »
Beyond his declarations on an intensification of the offensive and on a war “ long », Is Benyamin Netanyahu also at stake for his political survival?
Once the war is over, even if Hamas is eradicated, Netanyahu’s days are numbered. His responsibility is called into question. The families of the hostages and Israeli soldiers will tell him: “you have solved the Hamas problem, it is time to leave”. By public morality. I don’t think he’s prolonging the war to stay in power… Well, I hope so! The day the war is over — whatever the outcome — Netanyahu, it is over. And the Likud [le parti de droite du Premier ministre israélien] will be able to find another leader to close this chapter.
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